TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Enrollment at Pima Community College has declined by 11 percent from a year ago.
The Arizona Daily Star quotes (http://bit.ly/U66HL5) college spokesman C.J. Karamargin as saying the decline is due to many factors such as Arizona’s improving economy.
Community college enrollment tends to rise when unemployment is high, then tapers off as the economy improves.
Karamargin says changes to admission rules may also have contributed.
The changes initially required applicants to prove they can read, write and do math at a minimum seventh-grade level to enroll in degree-seeking programs.
The main test that the college uses to measure proficiency has been criticized as unsuitable.
The college has backed off the new rules somewhat, for example, by allowing students weak only in math to take credit courses that aren’t math-based.
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Information from: Arizona Daily Star, http://www.azstarnet.com
